FUNimation Remastered Box Sets

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The FUNimation Remastered Box Sets are a series of DVD box sets released by Funimation. For Dragon Ball Z, they feature an anamorphic widescreen (16:9) transfer from original Japanese film print, a revised English audio track, original English and Japanese audio tracks, plus many other special features. Similar sets have also been released for Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball GT. While the Z sets are cropped to achieve an anamorphic widescreen presentation, the original Dragon Ball and GT sets are presented in the original 4:3 aspect ratio. The sets do not include the next episode previews due to Toei not having supplied them to FUNimation (they were recreated for TV broadcast and previous home video releases), although the narrator still erroneously provides the "stay tuned for scenes from the next episode" message.

These releases are also notable for being the region 1 debut for the uncut versions of Dragon Ball Episodes 1-13, Dragon Ball Z Episodes 28-67, and Dragon Ball Movie 1. Several voices in early FUNimation-dubbed episodes also received redubbing for this release for consistency purposes (it should be noted that DBZ Episodes 1-67 and Movies 1-3 were redubbed from 2004-2006 for the earlier "Ultimate Uncut" Cartoon Network broadcast and canceled DVDs).

Contents

Restoration

Ultimate Uncut Edition screenshot

Video Post & Transfer was responsible for the restoration process, during which they used the original 16mm negative, taken from FUNimation's film vault.

Lead by colorist Steve Franko, all 291 episodes of Dragon Ball Z were given a series of clean-ups. First was color correction, which Franko stated was little to none, using a Da Vinci 2K Plus Color Corrector. Next came the restoration process: the film was first processed by a Digital Vision DVNR 1000 HD Noise Reducer, which eliminated much of the video noise and grain that was in the system. Next was the Taranex, which was the final process of the clean-up. Franko stated in an interview that it took over 2 million dollars worth of equipment to carry out the restoration. However, when the prices for each individual piece of equipment are added up, the equipment actually cost closer to 1 million eight hundred and thirty five thousand dollars. The entire process was done at 23.976fps (often referred to as 24fps for shorthand), the original frame-rate of the masters.

Remastered screenshot

The restored footage was then laid out tape-to-tape at 1080p The series was telecined at an aspect ratio of 16:9, re-conforming it from its original 4:3 aspect ratio. This allegedly helped to eliminate some of the grain and glue on the top and bottom of the picture, and added more image to the left and right than any previous standard definition transfer, but also removed footage from the vertical aspect. The decision to crop the picture was FUNimation's decision, not Franko's.

Franko has said that due to a small budget and short schedule, he and his team were not able to do a complete and thorough job of the transfer.

Audio features

The following audio options are available on all box sets:

Dragon Ball

English track from FUNimation dub, with the original Kikuchi score (Dolby Digital 5.1 surround, note that the FUNimation dub that aired on Cartoon Network used the original Japanese music; there was no original dub score ever made for it).

Original Japanese audio (Dolby Digital 1.0 mono), with optional English subtitles.

Dragon Ball Z

English track with revised dialog based on the FUNimation dub, with the original Kikuchi score (Dolby Digital 5.1 surround).

NOTE: On the Dragon Ball saga sets that were released prior to the season sets, the subtitle translations were credited to Clyde Mandelin. On the new sets they are credited to Steven J. Simmons - although the translations are almost identical to the earlier sets.

Season DVD Box Sets (Dragon Ball Z)

Season One

Release Date: February 6, 2007

This set contains the Vegeta Saga and part of the Namek Saga. Unlike some of the following sets, this set does not feature any redubbing, except for one of Vegeta's lines during the Goku Vs. Vegeta fight when he is inconsistent in his pronunciation of "Kaio-ken" (though the original recorded line is still present for the US Music track). As such, many old errors remain uncorrected (Planet Vegeta being destroyed 3 years ago, Snake Way only being 10,000 miles, etc.) This DVD set is also the region 1 debut of the uncut version of Episodes 28-39.

Special features

Dragon Ball Z Rebirth: Part I - Film to Video: The HD Transfer featurette

A New Look Featurette

Textless Songs

Trailers

Booklet including character profiles, episode summaries, and DBZ timeline

Controversy

The box set has created much controversy amongst fans and purists.

Original film print

Remastered screenshot

Many fans and critics have attacked FUNimation's decision to crop the series from 4:3 to 16:9. This results in minor (roughly about 20%) picture loss on the top and bottom, a few times resulting in awkward framing. It should also be noted that image is gained in the left and right (roughly about 5%) from the standard definition.

Due to the DVNR automatic process used to clean the prints, while it does greatly clear large amounts of dirt and grain, it accidentally blurs detail. Another effect is that, when the picture shakes, lines of detail are lost.

Loss of detail due to the DVNR process

Some have attacked FUNimation's claim that they remastered the film prints frame-by-frame, due to some amounts of grain, scratches, and jiggling frames (all normal for an old anime show) still left. It should be noted that there are other ways to justify frame-by-frame remastering, including DVNR process, color correction, and 1080p HD transfer.

People have complained that the Japanese BGM sounds too low in the 5.1 Surround mix.

Some note the loss of the Spanish audio track, and the 5.1 surround TV broadcast English track from the Ultimate Uncut Special Edition. It should be noted that the reason behind this might be due to the large amount of content already on the DVDs, that there might a smaller bit-rate, meaning a loss of quality.

Original screenshot

Remastered screenshot

Some have criticized that on the 5.1 surround, an insert song is missing. A clear reason for this is copyright laws (other dubs miss the song as well). Along with that, a chorus line in the score is missing at one point. A reason for this could be the track FUNimation used for the sound mix, the chorus note may be lost. Another track problem is the song 'Cha-La Head-Cha-La' is replaced by FUNimation's opening song for the movies. It is confusing as to why, mostly due to the fact Ending Song ("Detekoi Tobikiri Zenkai Power!") is left perfectly intact.

It has also been said that FUNimation lied in the featurette, Dragon Ball Z Rebirth. At one point, there is a comparison between original film print and remastered print. Some have noted that the original film print side is still the remastered frame, just sped up to reveal grain. A reason for this may be that FUNimation just created that side to show the audience how the prints did somewhat look alike. Telling from the original frame on top, the picture is most likely that of how it was portrayed.

There is a glitch in the Marathon Mode in which footage prior to the title card does not play. As such, the pre-title card sequence in "The New Threat", introducing the series, is cut off if the Marathon Mode is chosen.

Reception

The release has become one of the most controversial anime DVDs released. Many purist fans say the season releases are an insult to fandom. Many fans says the picture is inferior to the Dragon Box sets released by Toei in Japan. Others, however, give positive reviews to the set, calling it one of FUNimation's better Dragon Ball Z sets .

One of the biggest events against the set was when Animeondvd, a well-known anime DVD review site, said they wouldn't even review it (or any other Season Set releases for that matter).

Despite the massive controversy, the set has become one of the best-selling anime DVDs all of time, selling more than 48,000 copies during its first week of release.[1] On Amazon.com, it continued to remain on the Top 10 best selling anime DVDs, even several months after its release. In a report, ICv2 reported that Dragon Ball Z continues to remain the number one anime property, beating out other well known anime Pokémon and Naruto.

FUNimation later released a statement saying that the set is the highest selling anime DVD of 2007.

Season Two

Release Date: May 22, 2007

This set contains the remainder of the Namek Saga and the Captain Ginyu Saga. This set marks the region 1 debut of the uncut version of the Episodes 40-67.

Special features

Instrumental music

Trailers

Booklet including character profiles and episode summaries

Captain Ginyu Saga redub

For the remastered release of Ginyu Saga, FUNimation redubbed several voices to make the transition from the previous episodes (which were dubbed uncut only recently at that point) easier. Light script changes were made to some of the redubbed characters' lines of dialogue.

Christopher Sabat redubs his work as Vegeta. Originally, Sabat voiced Vegeta similar to previous English voice actor, Brian Drummond. Later in time, Sabat voiced the character much differently. However, the original battle grunts are left intact for some reason.

Sonny Strait redubs his work as Krillin. His voice also varied significantly throughout the series. Strait was brought back to present continuity with the previous 67 episodes.

Linda Chambers-Young redubs her work as Frieza. Her voice originally sounded more calm and woman-like. Here, her voice is more rough and threatening. It helps present continuity to the Namek Saga voice. But in episode 69's recap, the original dub lines for edited episode 54 can be heard.

Kyle Hebert replaces Dale Kelly as the narrator. Dale Kelly voiced the narrator originally, but Kyle Hebert took over the role beginning with the Great Saiyaman saga, and later narrated the uncut version of the first 67 episodes.

The scene where Bulma escapes from the cave to steal the Dragon Balls was completely redubbed for unknown reasons. Small changes were made to the script. Other scenes with Bulma were left completely intact.

Several additional characters were also given a redub by various voice actors. Stephanie Nadolny reprised her role as a computer voice for a redubbed scene.

Despite many alterations, the voices for Nail, King Kai, and Guru are left intact. Goku's voice, Jeice's voice, and Bulma's voice are also left mostly intact; only one of Bulma's scenes was redubbed, a few of Jeice's lines have been redubbed and one added in episode 68, and one of Goku's lines was redubbed in episode 74.

Minor changes were made to Christopher Neel's original script, sometimes replacing less-mature sounding dialog, and dialogue that may have sounded awkward in the original version. Example:

Frieza (Original): Any last wishes before you go the way of the dodo?

Frieza (Redub): Any last wishes before I kill you?

Vegeta (Original): This is going to be easier than coloring inside the lines.

Vegeta (Redub): This is going to be easier than I thought.

Reception

Unlike the first season, the set has received little controversy (most of the fans complaints are identical to the previous set). Some fans complain of the redub, including of not redubbing characters done by Sean Schemmel (Goku, Nail, and King Kai; Sean Schemmel originally voiced Goku in a similar pitch to Peter Kelamis before developing his own better-known voice in the Frieza Saga).

Like the previous set, it has also sold very well. On Amazon.com, it is on the top ten highest selling anime DVDs.

Frieza Saga Redub

Christopher Sabat continues to redub his lines as Vegeta for the entire Season. A few battle grunts from the original are present, such as episode 77 and the beginning of episode 86. Also, the original dub voice can be heard in the recaps of episodes 87 and 101.

Linda Young continues to redub her work as Frieza leading up to the character's first transformation. Portions of her work as 2nd form Frieza are redubbed as well as redubbing one line for 3rd form Frieza. Frieza's final form is redubbed in episode 84. Redubbing stops at episode 85.

Stephanie Nadolny continues to redub some of her work as Gohan up to Episode 79. Redubbing stops as Gohan attacks Frieza when he says, "You... ANIMAL!".

Sonny Strait redubs his work as Krillin leading up to episode 94. In episode 86, he redubs his work as Bardock to make him sound less like Krillin.

Brice Armstrong continues to replace Dale Kelly as Captain Ginyu in remaining scenes, including the lines involving the "frog" subplot with Bulma, as well as Frog sound effects. However, Dale Kelly's voice was left intact in Episode 92.

John Burgmeier replaces Chris Cason as Tien Shinhan for the entire season.

Reception

Original screenshot

The Season 3 set, so far, has received a much better reception from fans, mainly due to how FUNimation kept the colors the same, although they were brightened. Also, unlike the Season 2 set, the lack of redubbing for Goku in Season 3 was not poorly received as by this point in the original dub, Sean Schemmel's voice for Goku had developed more.

Remastered screenshot

Season Four

Release Date: February 19, 2008

This boxset contains the Garlic Jr. Saga, Trunks Saga and the Androids Saga. Unlike earlier season box sets, this set does not feature extensive redubbing. Some minor changes do exist, however, such as the removal of the voice effect given to Android 19. Vegeta's short appearances in the Garlic Jr. Saga have also been redubbed. In addition, characters such as Spice, Mustard and Maron have been redubbed with new voice actors (Spice went from Bart Myer to J Michael Tatum, Mustard went from Mark Britten to Brandon Potter, and Maron went from Daphne Gere to Leah Clark respectively). Puar gets a redub in "The Heavens Tremble". Also the pitch of the aliens in Vegeta's scenes are the original recorded lines unedited while the original dub had high pitch voices.

Season Six

Release Date: September 16, 2008.

This set contains the Cell Games Saga. Some minor changes were made to the dialogue in addition to minor characters receiving re-dubbing (such as the News Interviewer who approaches Cell before the games begin) in addition to Ox-King and the narration. Gohan is given extra dialogue during the final beam struggle with Cell. The most notable difference from the first release is that Laura Bailey has replaced Ceyli Delgadillo as Dende. However, it's not necessarily a redub, as FUNimation had lost contact with Delgadillo when first dubbing the Cell Games saga, and Laura Bailey was cast as a voice match to replace her (this was Bailey's first voice acting part), but Delgadillo soon after returned to the studio and redubbed all of Bailey's work, and it is her voice that was heard in the original broadcast and DVD release. However Delgadillo left FUNimation again, and Laura Bailey once again replaced her as Dende in all future media. The voice of Dende heard in the remastered set is Bailey's voice that was recorded before Delgadillo returned to redub her work. It should be noted that the error of Tao being called "General" instead of "Mercenary" has not been fixed.

Season Eight

Release Date: February 10, 2009

This set contains the Babidi Saga and the Majin Buu Saga. Very little redubbing is present in this set. However, Yakon's lines have been left unaltered from the voice filter that was used to deepen his voice in the original version.

Season Nine

Release Date: May 19, 2009

This set contains the Fusion Saga and the Kid Buu Saga. There has been portions of redubs and extra dialogue included in this set. Majin Buu's voice is at the original unedited pitch while the original dubbed voice was deepened. Also Vegito's voice as the fighting candy is at normal pitch while the original dub voice was high pitched. Goku has been given extra dialogue as well as Yamcha (Such as when Goku is unable to transport off Earth during its destruction stating that he is unable to concentrate)

Season Blu-ray Sets

FUNimation began releasing Dragon Ball Z in season volumes on Blu-ray in December 2013. Each successive volume was released six weeks after the previous volume, with the exception of the first volume. The picture is presented in a widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio using a method known as "tilt and scan" or "tiltscanning" in place of the automatic cropping process seen on the Orange Brick transfer. Each volume includes four discs with approximately 10 episodes per disc and also includes certain bonus featurettes. Seasons 1-3, 4-6 and 7-9 each feature a branching image across their respective front covers.

Season Box Sets (Dragon Ball GT)

Season One

Release Date: December 9, 2008

This set contains the Black Star Dragon Ball Saga and part of the Baby Saga. The opening and ending themes have been redubbed into English for the English dub audio track in order to fit with the uncut footage.

The Complete Series

This set contains the entire Dragon Ball GT series and the special A Hero's Legacy. The discs are identical to the season set release and both booklets were also included in the set.

Dragon Ball Z Movie Double Feature DVD/Blu-ray Steelbook Sets

All the movie double feature steelbook sets have been released both on DVD and Blu-ray. The specials contain redubbing on the parts of the narrator, Nappa, and Ox-King, and one of Korin's lines was redubbed in the fifth movie. Additionally, most only include a single "Angle" option, which features the American titles/credits exclusively.

Dragon Ball Z Double Feature 6

Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z Movie Collection Box Sets

All 17 movies were re-released in collection box sets containing 4-5 movies each. Each boxset is a thinpack with each movie separated on individual discs. The individual thin cases feature new artwork based on the original Japanese poster artwork on the front, and the clean artwork from the previous American release on the back. These releases generally contain no extras with the exception of Dragon Ball Z Movie 1's commentary track. Each movie contains English 5.1 and Japanese 1.0 (sometimes 2.0) soundtracks. These are the same discs as the "Double Feature" releases.

Dragon Ball Movie Collection

The Dragon Ball Movie Collection contains all 4 Dragon Ball movies. It marked the remastered debut of Dragon Ball movies 2-4 on DVD. The first disc is recycled from the "Curse of the Blood Rubies" single release from December 2010. The only extras on this set are brief trailers for various FUNimation series. Movies 2 and 3 do not contain any redubbing, while Movie 1's English dub came from the uncut 2010 release featuring FUNimation's voice cast from Dragon Ball Z Kai. As a result, the voices for each character are very inconsistent throughout all 4 movies. This set is also notorious for its seemingly rushed approach toward English titles, credits, and music. Movies 3-4 contain no English credits whatsoever, and the title screen for Movie 2 was left in Japanese (despite an English one being made for the previous release). For the English dub, theme songs were in English for Movies 1 and 3, but were left in Japanese for Movies 2 and 4. Each movie is presented in an open matte 4:3 aspect ratio.

Interestingly, these box sets, still have a "Clyde Mandelin" credit in the translations area, and do not give a credit to Steve Simmons like the Dragon Ball season sets do.